Yesterday was indeed a great day for running. How could one not be inspired by all of the various scenes from the New York Marathon to which we were treated throughout the day? I got goosebumps so many times over: first watching the online coverage, then reading results–and seeing Desiree Ficker in the women’s top ten with a 2:39–and then watching the NBC broadcast in the afternoon. It was just awesome to watch one of our own–someone I have had the pleasure racing with for years now–competing with the world’s best in the marathon and running at this speed which is–to me–unfathomable.
This was just what I needed to get excited about my Sunday morning run–not something for which I usually need extra motivation. But this week I had not had a good run since Monday. You see, my coach gave me a bit of free reign over my schedule while I was in San Diego, since we would have to switch things around a bit for the wedding weekend. Well, it turns out that I took this as an opportunity to do bonus miles here, there, and everywhere. Back-to-back long runs on the weekend also seemed like a good idea. Then I wondered why everything came crashing down after last Monday–why I had about five consecutive days of feeling pretty terrible in every training session. The only reason I can provide the aforementioned explanation for these consequences now is because Coach had to explain it to me–something I should have figured out, because it isn’t the first time I have done this to myself. Surprise. But this is why I have a coach.
After our dose of New York Marathon inspiration, Maiki and I hit the trails that we love so much, which begin just down the street our house. We’d been meaning to take some running pics next to the huge cacti lining these trails, so Maiki did the honors yesterday. . .
As soon as I started running, something felt amazing–and it wasn’t my legs. They actually felt okay, finally. It was my new miracle shoes:
The K-Swiss Ultra-Natural II. I mentioned my shipment of new K-Swiss supplies last week, and these were part of it. I’ve been so in love with my K-Onas from day one that it had never concerned me that I hadn’t tried these shoes; I didn’t think it would be possible for another run shoe to feel better. But after testing these shoes out on the trail yesterday morning, and then on the road in the evening, I sent the K-Swiss guys an email demanding why the heck they had been hiding these things from me all year?!? They seem to provide my foot with a little bit more support than the K-Onas (perhaps the shape is just slightly better for my foot), but are not noticeably heavier than the K-Onas. The feeling really is incredible. In fact just thinking about it has them calling my name right now . . . time for another run!
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No room to waver on that run with the cactus on both sides! Ouch…that could hurt. Love the shoes…been planning to get K-Swiss with my next purchase. Good to read reviews on their different models. Thanks. Wish I had your training weather and not the Minnesota cold. Happy training.
Me very jealous! Here its 1 degree and falling something between rain and snow from the sky. But still looking forward to my hill reps tonight
Hmmmrfff!!
Wow!
Maiki didn´t tell me about the trails. Looks awesome.
Can´t wait to see it live in Tempe…
Awesome place for long runs !!